For any dancer who dreams of joining the professional cheerleading circuit, there’s no greater pinnacle to aspire to than the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Especially, when you’ve grown up as far away from Texas as you can arguably get. That’s been true for the DCC’s Australian-Kiwi recruit Faith Ward.
Faith and her iconic ponytail have become favourites of season three of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which tracks the process from auditions, through bootcamp, to eventual recruits on the famous cheer squad. Given the delay in filming, the series is tracking tracks the 2025 season, which saw Faith earn her DCC uniform.
When she was recruited, Faith made history as the first ever New Zealand-born dancer to sign with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Despite being born in the Land of the Long White Cloud, we’re claiming Faith as our own. (She was raised in Perth, after all!)
To celebrate our homegrown hero, we’ve tried to answer all your burning questions about Australian DCC cheerleader ‘Flexi Faith’.
Who Is Faith Ward?
Twenty three-year-old Faith Ward was born in Wellington, New Zealand, where she lived until she moved to Perthy, Australia at the age of 10.
A keen dancer from a young age, she began working professionally at 18, performing on cruise ships and honing her skills in the hope of one day securing spot on the coveted DCC lineup.
Documenting the lead up to the audition process with her 241k Instagram followers last June, Ward revealed the level of intense preparation involved, which included everything from learning the now-famous team rules, to styling her hair so it “dances well”. After making it through the gruelling 2025 trials, Ward shared her experience with a local news outlet, telling Perth Now: “No matter the outcome, it’ll be amazing to be part of the experience, and making it this far is already just incredible.”
And as it turns out, practice really does make perfect, because not only did she make it through to the final stage of auditions, but she secured the coveted uniform and place on the 2025/2026 team.
Faith has become known on the DCC squad for her flexibility — earning her the nickname ‘Flexi Faith’ — and for her signature ponytail. At present, she’s one of only a few squad members allowed to not wear the traditional bouncy curls.
Is Faith Ward still a DCC?
Yes, as of 2026, Faith is still on Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders squad. She was one of the favourite rookies of the season, and continues her career with DCC.
When did Faith join the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders?
Faith successfully auditioned for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 2025, taking to Instagram in July to share the happy news.
“Can’t believe I’m actually writing this… I’m officially a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader!” she wrote. “I’m proud to be the first New Zealand DCC and fourth Aussie to join the team NZAU so beyond grateful and blessed to turn my biggest dream into a reality.”
Ward was named as one of six rookies selected for the 2025 squad last year, and for anyone wondering why she didn’t feature in the last season of America’s Sweethearts, it’s because filming took place during the 2024 team selection process.
Now, season three places auditions front and centre, with Faith finally arrived on our screens.
Despite what appears to have been a challenging path to securing her place on the 2025 team, and the online discourse that has followed, Ward told fans she “wouldn’t change a thing!”
“I’ve been pushed in ways I never imagined, I’ve learned and grown so much already. I’m excited to see where this wild ride takes me! I feel so privileged to stand alongside not only the most talented dancers but also some of the most amazing women I’ve ever met,” she continued, before thanking everyone involved in helping her achieve her dream.
How Many Australians Have Been Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders?
Faith Ward may be the first ever New Zealand born member to rise in the DCC ranks, but she’s far from the first Australian to do so.
In fact, Ward is the fourth-ever dancer from Down Under to sign onto the elite squad.
She joins a legacy comprised of local DCC alum and Melbourne-born dancer Jinelle Esther, whose first professional season was highlighted in season eight of reality show Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team. Likewise, Angela Nicotera, whose own journey to DCC stardom began learning the ropes on the Manly Seabirds squad.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
